Pools and Ponds: The Lower Pool
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The term "Lower Pool" refers to a specific water reservoir mentioned in the Bible, primarily in the context of ancient Jerusalem. Pools and ponds in biblical times were essential for water storage, irrigation, and ritual purification. The Lower Pool is notably referenced in the Book of Isaiah and the Book of Kings, highlighting its significance in the historical and spiritual landscape of Israel.

Biblical References:

1. Isaiah 22:9 · "You saw that the breaches in the walls of the City of David were many. You collected water from the lower pool."

In this passage, the prophet Isaiah addresses the people of Jerusalem, pointing out their efforts to secure the city's water supply in preparation for an impending siege. The Lower Pool is mentioned as a critical resource for the city's defense, underscoring its strategic importance. The context suggests that the Lower Pool was part of a broader system of waterworks designed to sustain the city during times of crisis.

2. 2 Kings 18:17 · "Then the king of Assyria sent the Tartan, the Rabsaris, and the Rabshakeh with a great army from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. They advanced and came to Jerusalem, and they took up a position by the aqueduct of the upper pool, which is on the road to the Washerman's Field."

While this verse specifically mentions the "upper pool," it provides context for understanding the water systems of Jerusalem, including the Lower Pool. The strategic placement of these pools and their associated aqueducts was crucial for the city's survival, especially during sieges. The Lower Pool, like the upper pool, would have been part of this essential infrastructure.

Historical and Archaeological Context:

The Lower Pool is often identified with the Pool of Siloam, located in the southeastern part of ancient Jerusalem. Archaeological excavations have uncovered remains of this pool, which was fed by the Gihon Spring through the Siloam Tunnel, also known as Hezekiah's Tunnel. This engineering marvel, attributed to King Hezekiah, was constructed to secure Jerusalem's water supply against the Assyrian threat, as described in 2 Chronicles 32:30.

The Pool of Siloam served not only as a water reservoir but also played a role in the religious life of the city. It is mentioned in the New Testament in the context of Jesus healing a man born blind (John 9:7), further emphasizing its significance.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the Lower Pool represents God's provision and protection for His people. The efforts to secure water for Jerusalem during times of threat can be seen as a metaphor for divine sustenance and care. The prophetic critique in Isaiah 22:9-11 highlights the people's misplaced trust in their own preparations rather than in God, serving as a reminder of the importance of faith and reliance on divine providence.

In summary, the Lower Pool is a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of ancient Jerusalem's inhabitants, as well as a symbol of God's enduring care for His people. Its mention in the Bible underscores the interplay between human effort and divine intervention in the history of Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Isaiah 22:9
You have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and you gathered together the waters of the lower pool.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

La Brea
... In one of the star-shaped pools of water ... is hung up, with a stone weight at the lower
end, the ... that it was a huge Caddis, like those in English ponds and streams ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter viii la brea.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... body. The lower portion of the head-dress has fallen, so that the neck
appears too slender to support the weight of the head. The ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

Resources
What is the Valley of Baca in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Should churches be seeker-friendly? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Pools

Pools and Ponds of Nineveh

Pools and Ponds: (In the Wilderness) of the Gifts of the Spirit

Pools and Ponds: (Turning Cities Into) Great Desolation

Pools and Ponds: Artificial, Designed For: Preserving Fish

Pools and Ponds: Artificial, Designed For: Supplying Cities With Water

Pools and Ponds: Artificial, Designed For: Supplying Gardens With Water

Pools and Ponds: Bethesda

Pools and Ponds: Filled by the Rain

Pools and Ponds: Gibeon

Pools and Ponds: Hebron

Pools and Ponds: Made by God

Pools and Ponds: Made by Man

Pools and Ponds: Samaria

Pools and Ponds: Siloam

Pools and Ponds: The King's Pool

Pools and Ponds: The Land of Egypt Abounded In

Pools and Ponds: The Lower Pool

Pools and Ponds: The Old Pool

Pools and Ponds: The Upper Pool

Pools and Ponds: Water of, Brought Into the City by a Ditch or Conduit

Pools of Solomon

Related Terms

Fish-pools (1 Occurrence)

Reservoir (1 Occurrence)

Pond (2 Occurrences)

Irrigation

Aqueduct (4 Occurrences)

Fishpools (1 Occurrence)

Cistern (21 Occurrences)

Well (2882 Occurrences)

Bittern (4 Occurrences)

Pool (25 Occurrences)

Rivers (81 Occurrences)

Fountain (57 Occurrences)

Reed (41 Occurrences)

Etam (5 Occurrences)

Bathrabbim (1 Occurrence)

Bath-rabbim (1 Occurrence)

Bathing (9 Occurrences)

Canals (5 Occurrences)

Conduit (5 Occurrences)

Streams (80 Occurrences)

Bath (13 Occurrences)

Stretch (73 Occurrences)

Nonimmersionist

Non-immersionist

Stretched (234 Occurrences)

View (86 Occurrences)

Horseleech (1 Occurrence)

Horse-leech (1 Occurrence)

Rod (138 Occurrences)

Heshbon (37 Occurrences)

Jerusalem (782 Occurrences)

Water (4571 Occurrences)

Plants (70 Occurrences)

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

Owls (7 Occurrences)

Jars (28 Occurrences)

Gihon (6 Occurrences)

Wooden (18 Occurrences)

Waterways (5 Occurrences)

Wasteland (19 Occurrences)

Willows (5 Occurrences)

Woods (37 Occurrences)

Islands (32 Occurrences)

Irrigate (1 Occurrence)

Frogs (14 Occurrences)

Fever (13 Occurrences)

Field (390 Occurrences)

Flourishing (11 Occurrences)

Filleth (16 Occurrences)

Fuller's (4 Occurrences)

Fish's (1 Occurrence)

Thrown (126 Occurrences)

Therefrom (10 Occurrences)

Reared (22 Occurrences)

Rabbim (1 Occurrence)

Drying (11 Occurrences)

Disease (213 Occurrences)

Diseases (38 Occurrences)

Ponds (6 Occurrences)

Parched (37 Occurrences)

Porcupine (3 Occurrences)

Possibly (13 Occurrences)

Bath-rab'bim (1 Occurrence)

Baca (1 Occurrence)

Bethesda (1 Occurrence)

Besom (1 Occurrence)

Broom (5 Occurrences)

Bloody (19 Occurrences)

Bethlehem (49 Occurrences)

Buckets (4 Occurrences)

Baths (8 Occurrences)

Brush (1 Occurrence)

Coastlands (29 Occurrences)

Swamps (2 Occurrences)

Shooting (13 Occurrences)

Springing (16 Occurrences)

Swampland (1 Occurrence)

Wither (30 Occurrences)

Hedgehog (3 Occurrences)

Pools and Ponds: The Land of Egypt Abounded In
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